Portable shower

ABSTRACT

A portable shower system includes a portable shower apparatus housed in a wheeled cart. The shower apparatus comprises a shower head, at least two water tanks, including a hot water tank and a cold water tank, and a plurality of pipes with valves operably connected to shower faucet knobs or handles. The hot water tank includes a water heater operably connected by power cords to a battery, solar panel, or combination thereof, for heating of water contained therein. The cart includes access doors for filling and maintenance of water tanks. Water pipes in fluid communication with the water tanks, a shower faucet and a shower head enable delivery of hot and cold water to the shower head, in response to use of faucet handles for hot and cold water. The invention provides a solution to the problem of a lack of portable shower facilities for indoor and outdoor use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to housewares and plumbing, and moreparticularly, to a portable shower system.

Many situations and locations exist wherein a shower may be needed,though a shower is unavailable. Nonlimiting examples of such situationsand locations may include when traveling, during utility shutoffs, atwork sites, or the like.

No devices exist which provide a portable shower or washing device,which are capable of being easily moved, and may further provide bothhot and cold water for use.

A need exists for a portable shower system.

Accordingly, there is a need for a solution which is capable of use inmany situations and locations to provide a portable shower or device forwashing, that is capable of being easily moved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Advantageously, in one aspect, the present invention provides a solutionwhich comprises a portable shower system, and a method for its use.

In one aspect, the present invention may comprise a portable showersystem capable of use in for showering, washing, pet grooming, andwashing cars and other vehicles.

In another aspect, the portable shower system may include a wheeledcart, and a shower apparatus including cold and hot water tanks, a waterheater, and a water delivery shower head.

In a further aspect, the portable shower system includes a portableshower apparatus on a wheeled rolling cart. The portable showerapparatus comprises a shower head, at least two water tanks, and aplurality of pipes with valves operably connected to shower faucet knobsor handles. The at least two water tanks comprise a hot water tank witha water heater, and a cold water tank. The water may be heated bybattery, solar panel, or combination thereof, operably connected to thehot water heater by power cords. The cart may include access doors toaccess the water tanks for filing and maintenance. Water pipes may be influid communication with the water tanks, a shower faucet and a showerhead for delivery of water to the shower head. The portable showersystem may offer both hot water and cold water, providing faucet handlesfor both hot and cold water. The invention provides a solution to theproblem of a lack of portable shower facilities for indoor and outdooruse.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiment of the claimed subject matter will hereinafterbe described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided toillustrate and not to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter,where like designations denote like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the invention in use in a showerstall;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the invention in use as a car wash;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the invention without water tanks.

It is to be understood that like reference numerals refer to like partsthroughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thedescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merelyfor the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention,since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

As used herein, “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as anexample, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described hereinas “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed aspreferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of theimplementations described below are exemplary implementations providedto enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments ofthe disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of thedisclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of descriptionherein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”,“vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to theinvention as oriented in FIG. 1 . Furthermore, as there is no intentionto be bound by any express or implied theory presented in the precedingtechnical field, background, brief summary or the following detaileddescription, it is also to be understood that the specific devices andprocesses illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in thefollowing specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of theinventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specificdimensions and other physical characteristics relating to theembodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting,unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention provides a portableshower system. The portable shower system of the present invention maybe used for showering and shampooing pets, and is also capable of use towash cars or other vehicles, and to wash other articles. The portableshower system may be beneficially used in any suitable setting orsituation, including but not limited to at home, during traveling,during utility shutoffs, at work sites, for pet grooming, for washinghair, for beauty salons, in laboratories, during emergencies, insituations in which using a conventional shower is not advisable, or thelike.

In one embodiment the present invention may provide a portable showersystem which comprises a shower apparatus on a wheeled cart. The showerapparatus may further comprise a cold water tank, a hot water tank, anda hot water heater. The system may provide a movable shower on wheels,that may resemble an indoor plumbing shower.

The system of the present invention distinguishes over and differs fromprevious solutions. No shower system exists which is on wheels andeasily moved for use in multiple locations and settings. No other systemexists which is capable of heating water, and storing both hot and coldwater.

The system of the present invention provides an unprecedented solutionto the problem of not having a shower, and provides a portable showerwhich may be easily used in any suitable setting. In some embodimentsthe system may be used for showering and shampooing pets, and may alsobe used to wash cars or other vehicles. The system may be used to washmany other articles. The system may be used in any setting, such as, forexample without limitation, indoors or outdoors, at home, duringtraveling, during utility shutoffs, at work sites, in laboratories,during emergencies, and even in situations in which using a conventionalshower and plumbing may not be advisable.

The system of the present invention may solve the problem of providing ashower in a situation in which a person's water is shut off. The usermay use the system to shower in any suitable location, indoors oroutdoors, outdoor camping, or may even be used for taking a shower if anational disaster prevents a person from being able to take a showerusing indoor plumbing.

The present invention further distinguishes over previous devices forwashing which need to be carried by hand, or do not provide sufficienthot water to enable a user to take a shower. The system of the presentinvention is capable of heating and storing water. The system of thepresent invention may include storage for both hot and cold water.

The system of the present invention may also be used as a portablewashing facility for use in conventional salons for pet grooming, hairstyling salons, barber shops. Further the present invention may be usedfor portable pet grooming salons, hair styling salons, and barber shops.In addition the system may be used for portable car washing anddetailing shops.

In an exemplary embodiment the present invention may provide a portableshower or wash system comprising one or more of the following componentsand combinations thereof:

-   1. a rolling cart with wheels, with an attachable shower head;-   2. a plurality of water tanks;-   3. a plurality of valves;-   4. a solar panel;-   5. at least one battery;-   6. at least two power cords;-   7. at least two doors;-   8. at least two water tanks;-   9. a plurality of pipes; and-   10. at least one shower faucet.

In an exemplary embodiment, the portable shower system may comprise aportable shower apparatus on a rolling cart. The portable showerapparatus may comprise an attachable shower head, at least two watertanks, and a plurality of valves. The at least two water tanks maycomprise a first water tank and a second water tank, serving as a hotwater tank and a cold water tank. The water may be heated by battery,solar power by a solar panel, or combination thereof, operably connectedto the hot water heater of the hot water tank by two power cords. Thesolar panel and battery may be mounted to a front portion of the cart.An opening may be provided at the front of the cart where the cord mayenter. The cart may include two access doors that allow access to thetwo water tanks. Pipes may be attached to the tanks. A large pipe may beprovided in fluid communication with the hot water tank in the frontportion of the cart. A relatively smaller pipe may be provided in fluidcommunication with the cold water tank located at the rear portion ofthe cart. A shower faucet may be screwed on the top of a 3″ pipe. Thesystem of the present invention may offer both hot water and cold waterand provide faucet handles for both hot and cold water.

The system and the elements or components thereof may be made of anysuitable material, fabricated by any suitable method. The exactspecifications and dimensions of the system and its components may vary.

In an exemplary embodiment the present invention may work or function inthe following manner to provide a portable shower system that may bebeneficially used to enable system users the ability to take a showerindoors or outdoors.

In some embodiments, the system may be provided with the described hotand cold water tanks. In other embodiments, the system may be providedwith no water tanks, and may be constructed and arranged for connectionto a water supply.

The system and its components may be made of any suitable materials, andhave any suitable size and dimensions. In an exemplary embodiment, thesystem may include a 3-foot long pipe which may be attached at the endof a 3-feet tank mounted on a cart with four small wheels. A showerfaucet may be provided for use to turn on the water. A tank enclosuremay house two tanks, a first tank comprising a 2 foot tank for holdingcold water and a second tank comprising a 2 foot tank for holding hotwater. The hot water tank may be operably connected to a battery powersource and a solar hot water heater comprising a solar panel. Two doorsare provided on the outside of the tank enclosure. The user may open thetank enclosure access doors to see hot and cold water tanks and to fillthe tanks with water.

In some embodiments the system may be used by pulling the tank cart to abath tub area that does not have water access, to provide a portableindoor shower. In other embodiments, the system may be used to providean outdoor shower. In further embodiments, the system may be used towash any suitable item, including but not limited to a car or othervehicle.

In an exemplary embodiment the system and its components may be made ofany suitable material, and by any suitable fabrication method. In someembodiments, the system may be constructed by a plumber or other personwho knows about plumbing, by assembling the components in accordancewith instructions that may be provided, In some embodiments thecomponents may be provided as a kit for building the system which mayfurther include a set of instructions for assembly, use and maintenanceof the system.

In an exemplary embodiment the system may be used by providing a showerto the user when the user's conventional plumbing shower is not working.The user may further use the system to take a shower outdoors where noshower is provided, for travel, or camping in the woods. The system maybe used to provide showers in hospitals when there is a shortage ofshowers or in labs as safety showers. The system may be used to provideoutdoor showers for military personnel and campers. The system mayprovide showers for individuals who do not have a shower in their housesor apartments or for showers for emergency uses.

In an exemplary embodiment, the portable shower system may comprise oneor more of the following elements or components and combinationsthereof:

-   a portable shower cart;-   a plurality of cart wheels;-   a plurality of cart doors;-   at least one cart handle;-   at least one shower head;-   at least one flexible shower hose; and-   a plurality of faucet handles which may be at least one pair of    faucet turn knobs..

In some embodiments, the system may further comprise at least oneflexible water hose in fluid communication with the at least oneflexible shower hose and the at least one shower head, whereby the atleast one flexible water hose of the system may be connected to anexisting water supply, and the at least one pair of faucet turn knobsmay be turned to open a valve associated therewith to enable water fromthe water supply to flow from the at least one shower head.

In some embodiments, the system may further comprise:

-   at least one solar panel;-   at least one battery; and-   a plurality of water tanks including at least one hot water tank and    a least one cold water tank.

Water may be provided for storage in the at least one cold water tank,and in the at least one hot water tank. The at least one hot water tankmay include a water heater operated by the at least one solar panel, theat least one battery, or a combination thereof. The solar panel may beoperably connected to the hot water heater of the hot water tank and tothe battery by power cords. The at least one pair of faucet turn knobsmay be turned to open a valve associated therewith to enable water fromthe water supply to flow from the at least one shower head.

The system may be used indoors or outdoors. In some embodiments, thesystem may be used indoors in a bathroom tub or shower stall, or forother indoor uses. The system may be used by pulling the cart to a bathtub area that does not have water access, to provide a portable indoorshower. In some embodiments, the system may be used outdoors with anoutdoor shower enclosure. In some embodiments, the system may be usedoutdoors to wash a car, any vehicle or any other item or structure.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4 , the portable shower system is shown generallyat 10. FIG. 1 provides a side elevation view of the system 10 in use inan exemplary indoor use such as, for example without limitation, with ashower stall. FIG. 2 shows a side elevation view of the system 10 in anexemplary outdoor use, such as, for example without limitation, as a carwash. FIG. 3 provides a schematic side view of the system 10 interior ofthe cart 12, and FIG. 4 shows a side schematic view of the system 10interior of the cart 12 without water tanks.

In an exemplary embodiment, the system 10 may comprise a cart 12 havinga front portion, a rear portion, a top, a bottom, a right side and aleft side. The views of the system at FIGS. 1-4 show the right side ofthe cart 12. In some embodiments, the elements or components of thesystem shown at from the right side view may be provided at or on theleft side of the cart. The cart includes at least three wheels. In someembodiments the cart may have four wheels 26, two front wheels and tworear wheels. The cart may have a first door and a second door located atthe right side or left side of the cart. In an exemplary embodiment,doors 28 are provided at the right side of the cart 12. The cart 12includes at least one handle 30 located at the front portion of thecart. In some embodiments, the cart 12 may have two handles. The cartmay support at its rear portion, a shower head 32 in fluid communicationwith a flexible shower hose 34, operably connected to a pair of faucethandles 36.

The system 10 includes a solar panel 38 and a battery 40. In someembodiments, the solar panel 38 and battery 40 are located at andmounted to the front portion of the cart 12. The system further includesa first tank and a second tank. The first tank is a hot water tank 42and the second tank is a cold water tank 44. The water in the hot watertank 42 may be heated by battery, solar power by the solar panel, orcombination thereof. The solar panel 38 may be operably connected to ahot water heater of the hot water tank by two power cords 46, and to thebattery by a power cord 48.

As seen at FIG. 1 , the system 10 may be used in association with ashower stall 52. In some embodiments, the system 10 may be used bypulling the tank cart 12 to a bath tub or shower area that does not havewater access, to provide a portable indoor shower. The shower stall mayfurther be an outdoor shower enclosure.

As seen at FIG. 2 , the system may be used to wash a car 54. As notedhereinabove, the system may be used to wash any vehicle or otherstructure.

As seen at FIG. 4 , the system may include a water hose 50, by which theportable shower may be in fluid communication with any conventionalwater source indoor or outdoor.

In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a portableshower system for indoor or outdoor use. The portable shower systemcomprises: a portable shower cart comprising a wheeled base including aplurality of wheels, a cart housing including a plurality of cart doors,and at least one cart steering handle; and a portable shower apparatuscarried by the portable shower cart. The portable shower apparatusfurther comprises at least one shower head; at least one flexible showerhose; and a plurality of faucet turn knobs which may be at least onepair of faucet turn knobs. The portable shower apparatus is constructedand arranged for delivery of water from a water source through the atleast one flexible shower hose, and out of the at least one shower head,in response to a user rotating the at least one pair of faucet turnknobs.

In some embodiments, the water source comprises an existing watersupply; and the portable shower apparatus further comprises at least oneflexible water hose in fluid communication with the at least oneflexible shower hose and the at least one shower head. The at least oneflexible water hose of the portable shower apparatus may be connected tothe existing water supply, and the at least one pair of faucet turnknobs may be rotated to open a valve associated therewith to enablewater from the existing water supply to flow from the at least oneshower head.

In some embodiments, the portable shower apparatus further comprises atleast one solar panel; at least one battery; at least two power cords;and a water source.. The at least two power cords further comprise afirst power cord and a second power cord. The water source furthercomprises a plurality of water tanks including at least one hot watertank and a least one cold water tank, the plurality of water tanks beingconstructed and arranged for storage of water. The at least one hotwater tank further includes a water heater operably connected to the atleast one solar panel, the at least one battery or a combination thereofby the first power cord. The solar panel is operably connected to thebattery by the second power cord. The at least one pair of faucet turnknobs may be rotated to open a valve associated therewith to enabledelivery of water from the at least one hot water tank and the at leastone cold water tank to flow from the at least one shower head.

In some embodiments, the portable shower system may be constructed andarranged for use indoors. The portable shower system may be used inassociation with an existing indoor bathtub or shower stall. Nonlimitingexamples of indoor settings in which the portable shower system may beused, include dwellings, hotels, temporary housing structures,hospitals, medical facilities, laboratories, schools, military bases,pet grooming salons, beauty salons, barber shops, and combinationsthereof.

In some embodiments, the portable shower system may be constructed andarranged for use outdoors. The portable shower system may be used inassociation with an existing outdoor shower facility. Nonlimitingexamples of outdoor settings at which the portable shower system may beused, include work sites, camp sites, military camps, emergency sitesand combinations thereof.

The portable shower system may be constructed and arranged for use towash a vehicle, a structure or an item located outdoors.

In some embodiments, the portable shower system further comprises avehicle in which the portable shower cart and the portable showerapparatus are removably located.

In summary, the present invention provides a portable shower systemcomprising a portable shower apparatus on a wheeled cart. The systemincludes a cold water storage tank, a hot water storage tank, a hotwater heater and a shower delivery head. The system may be used toprovide a portable shower for multiple indoor and outdoor settings anduses.

In an exemplary embodiment, the portable shower system may comprise aportable shower apparatus on a rolling cart. The portable showerapparatus may comprise a shower head, at least two water tanks, and aplurality of valves operably connected to shower faucet knobs orhandles. The at least two water tanks may comprise a hot water tank witha hot water heater, and a cold water tank. The water may be heated bybattery, solar power by a solar panel, or combination thereof, operablyconnected to the hot water heater of the hot water tank by two powercords. The cart may include two access doors that allow access to thewater tanks. Water pipes may be attached to the tanks. A large pipe maybe provided in fluid communication with the hot water tank, and arelatively smaller pipe may be provided in fluid communication with thecold water tank. The shower faucet and shower head may be screwed on thetop of a pipe and in fluid communication with the pipe. The system ofthe present invention may offer both hot water and cold water andprovide faucet handles for both hot and cold water. The inventionprovides a solution to the problem of a lack of portable showerfacilities.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates toexemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications,variations and changes in detail may be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable shower system for indoor or outdooruse, the portable shower system comprising: a portable shower cartcomprising a wheeled base including a plurality of wheels, a carthousing including a plurality of cart doors, and at least one cartsteering handle; and a portable shower apparatus carried by the portableshower cart, the portable shower apparatus further comprising: at leastone shower head; at least one flexible shower hose; and a plurality offaucet turn knobs which may be at least one pair of faucet turn knobs;wherein the portable shower apparatus is constructed and arranged fordelivery of water from a water source through the at least one flexibleshower hose, and out of the at least one shower head, in response to auser rotating the at least one pair of faucet turn knobs.
 2. Theportable shower system of claim 1, wherein: the water source comprisesan existing water supply; and the portable shower apparatus furthercomprises at least one flexible water hose in fluid communication withthe at least one flexible shower hose and the at least one shower head,whereby the at least one flexible water hose of the portable showerapparatus may be connected to the existing water supply, and the atleast one pair of faucet turn knobs may be rotated to open a valveassociated therewith to enable water from the existing water supply toflow from the at least one shower head.
 3. The portable shower system ofclaim 1, wherein: the portable shower apparatus further comprises: atleast one solar panel; at least one battery; at least two power cords,further comprising a first power cord and a second power cord; and awater source, the water source further comprising a plurality of watertanks including at least one hot water tank and a least one cold watertank, the plurality of water tanks being constructed and arranged forstorage of water, the at least one hot water tank further including awater heater operably connected to the at least one solar panel, the atleast one battery or a combination thereof by the first power cord; thesolar panel is operably connected to the battery by the second powercord; and the at least one pair of faucet turn knobs may be rotated toopen a valve associated therewith to enable delivery of water from theat least one hot water tank and the at least one cold water tank to flowfrom the at least one shower head.
 4. The portable shower system ofclaim 1 constructed and arranged for use indoors.
 5. The portable showersystem of claim 4 constructed and arranged for use with an existingindoor bathtub or shower stall.
 6. The portable shower system of claim 4constructed and arranged for use in a location selected from dwellings,hotels, temporary housing structures, hospitals, medical facilities,laboratories, schools, military bases, pet grooming salons, beautysalons, barber shops, and combinations thereof.
 7. The portable showersystem of claim 1 constructed and arranged for use outdoors.
 8. Theportable shower system of claim 7 constructed and arranged for use withan existing outdoor shower facility.
 9. The portable shower system ofclaim 7 constructed and arranged for use at a location selected fromwork sites, camp sites, military camps, emergency sites and combinationsthereof.
 10. The portable shower system of claim 7 constructed andarranged for use to wash a vehicle.
 11. The portable shower system ofclaim 7 constructed and arranged for use to wash a structure or an itemlocated outdoors.
 12. The portable shower system of claim 1 furthercomprising a vehicle in which the portable shower cart and the portableshower apparatus are removably located.